HaMaggid October 2021 Edition

ARCHIVES
Above: Can you identify the people in this 1930s photograph donated by Burton and Michele Horwitz?
by Harlan Shays, Archives Committee Chair
HShays@nc.rr.com
Earlier this year, the Beth Meyer Archives received
a remarkable donation. Burton and Michele
Horwitz located a photograph taken on the steps of
our original freestanding building in the early
1930’s. Previously, our only-known photo of the
S. East Street structure was a well-known picture
from the 1920’s showing all the students from the
religious school posed on its steps.
There are children in this 1930’s picture, too, but
almost as many adults, so it may not have been
taken at a religious school event. This photo also
shows more of our Oakwood building, which stood
on the east side of the street, just south of New
Bern Avenue. The structure opened in the early
1920’s, with the synagogue upstairs and a flat for
the rabbi and family on the first floor. It was torn
down decades ago, after the congregation moved to
a new building in Cameron Park in 1951.
While the names of most people in the photo are
not currently known, two have been identified. The
teenage boy second from left on the third step is
Milton Dworsky, and the teenager behind the girl
next to him is his older sister, Mildred “Mickey”
Dworsky (later Amdursky). Both are descendants
of Meyer Dworksy, who was honored when our
congregation chose its current name.
Ninety years later, the height of the building’s steps
might be one of the most striking facets of the
photo. With no banister in sight, it was not exactly a
friendly portal for the very young, old, or disabled.
Once inside, there was a full flight of interior stairs
to climb to reach the second floor synagogue.
If you have any additional information about this
picture, or have other photos for donation or that
we might borrow and scan, please contact the Beth
Meyer office. Our thanks this month to Risa
Botvinick, David Glass, and especially to Burton
and Michele Horwitz.
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